animal
talisman
necklaces

Handmade

Recycled

Please note, the Animal Talisman Necklaces have been discontinued. When each style sells out, it will no longer be available and will be removed from the drop down. At this time, the Elephant is the only style still available.

Prints Charming

These modern incarnations of 19th-century symbols provide both a glimpse inward and back in time. After unearthing a box of 19th-century wax seals at an estate sale, self-taught jewelers Wade Papin and Danielle Wilmore gave their fortuitous finds permanence by casting each symbolic insignia in reclaimed sterling silver. Out of their small, Vancouver atelier, the duo recreates their heraldic talismans with a roughhewn form and finish, leaving individual interpretation in the hands of the wearer.

Every representative talisman has a personal symbolic meaning:Owl:The owl represents knowledge and wisdom. Owls were believed to have the ability to see what is hidden.Bee:"A Mon Ami" is French for "To My Friend". The bee represents an individual who is steadfast and loyal.Elephant:The elephant is symbolic of good luck and wisdom.

The pieces feel as if they were forged in the hands of a medieval metalsmith, giving the cast symbols, crests and mottoes an air of regality equally fit for the nobility of yore and the trendsetters of today. Pendants handmade in Vancouver, Canada. Chains made in Italy.

The studio works to be as green as possible in all stages of production by using recycled and biodegradable packaging, FSC paper products and reclaimed metals.

Danielle Wilmore and Wade Papin

Wade Papin and Danielle Wilmore don't try to hide the fact that they are self-taught jewelry designers. In fact, they cite it as one of the reasons for their success. From their Vancouver studio, a 100-year-old converted house, the pair craft the heraldic seal talismans that have become the Pyrrha signature using techniques that evolved from trial and error and a disregard for rules. "Jewelers traditionally try to make everything look flawless" says Papin, "but we like to show the maker's hand. We celebrate the flaws." Pyrrha's most recent incarnation came about after the designers were inspired by a box of 19th century wax seals. "Making jewelry out of them was inspired by a desire to give the seals new life and permanence" says Danielle. "As we started researching the imagery in the seals, we were intrigued by the richness of the symbolism.